Official Course Information

Biology Courses:

Catalog Description:
Surveys the structure and function of the human organism, in particular the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and nervous, with homeostasis as a major theme. A lab component will include microscopy, with an emphasis on using anatomical models to learn the fundamental anatomical features of each system. Primarily for physical education majors and those students who need a 4 credit science elective. Three class hours, three lab hours. Prerequisite: Completion of the Genesee Community College reading and math proficiency.

Lecture: 3 hrs.Lab: 3 hrs.

Course Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs):
Upon successful completion of this course as documented through writing, objective testing, case studies, laboratory practice, and/or classroom discussion, the student will be able to:

1.Students will identify the methods biological scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, and the evaluation of data within anatomy and physiology.*
2.Students will demonstrate the application of scientific data to specific injuries of the skeletal system using a case study.*
3. Define and/or identify on models body orientation, directional terms, area terms, and body cavities of the human organism.
4. Name and describe the 4 types of tissues including at least 4 general characteristics for each type and compare and contrast the 4 types of membranes.
5. Identification using a microscope of at least 10 specific tissues that comprise the systems of study. For each tissue studied students should know the location, general function and overall characteristics of the tissue.
6. Describe the general functions of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory and cardiovascular.
7.Describe, list, and identify the gross anatomy and/or microscopic anatomy of the following organs: integument, brain, spinal cord, assigned nerves, heart, lungs, selected endocrine glands, blood vessels, at least 70 skeletal muscles and 65 or more bones and bone markings of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
8.For the above organs, functions should be able to be listed and relationship to the structure should be noted, including identification and explanation of origins, insertions and actions of selected muscles.
9. Describe the major divisions of the nervous system, the structure of a neuron, nerve plexus, ganglia, and give examples of both cranial and spinal nerves.
10. Describe a spinal reflex and at least 4 of the major spinal pathways, both sensory and motor.
11. Identify the major parts of the heart, the path of blood through heart and the major elements of the cardiac cycle.
12. Compare endocrine functioning to nervous system function and give the function of the following hormones: insulin, glucagon, estrogen, FSH, LH, testosterone and progesterone.

* This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally assessed as part of the Comprehensive Assessment Plan of the college. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.